Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) (27 page)

“It could be.” He reached for her hand across the table.

Zee shook her head slowly. “Not for me. Not now.”

“What about us?”

“Us.” The word slipped between her lips in a whisper.

His hand still reached for her. “I love you, Zee.”

Zee stood and came around to his side. She sat on his lap and wound her arms about his neck, laying a gentle kiss on his mouth. “That’s enough for me. It’s all I need. It’s everything. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Her eyes searched his. “You have to know that no matter how this ends, my life was as empty as that roof out there before you came along. I had no idea I could feel like this. I’m hanging onto the fact that we’re here together now. If that’s all I get, if that’s all the
us
we can afford, then I’m going cherish each minute and not think about the day when I’ll have to say good-bye to you.”

Jagger pointed to the sketchpad, to her tiny reflection in his eyes. “You’re already thinking about it.” He tipped her face so he was looking deep into her eyes. “That’s why you were so upset earlier. You drew this today, didn’t you?”

Zee didn’t answer him. Her lip quivered. She stroked his face.

Jagger’s forehead touched hers. His word came out as a ragged whisper. “If you can’t come with me, then ask me to stay.”

He felt her sob. Saw her tears fall unchecked. “I-I can’t do that either.” She pointed to the pad, to his heart open to the world. She tried to smile. “I know you, remember? I can’t ask you to abandon your promise.”

“If it means I have to leave you, then to hell with it.”

She shook her head at him. “But you gave your word.”

Jagger held her face in his hands and kissed her hard, tasting her tears on his tongue. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to bed. They made love almost desperately as if it were the last time. Gone were the teasing kisses and playfulness from earlier. This was raw and filled with a passion and need that left them both breathless and clinging to one another.

The sun was starting its rise when Jagger finally fell asleep. They still lay entwined in each other’s arms. Zee couldn’t stop the words. Her heart ached to say them, even if he would never hear them. She brushed her lips across his chest and whispered them against his heart. “I love you, Jagger Jones.”

****

Jagger made his way quietly through the apartment. He didn’t want to wake her. It had been almost dawn before they’d slept. He pulled the drawing from her sketchpad and using a piece of soft charcoal, left her a note on the blank page beneath:

You were too beautiful to wake. There’s something I need to do.

I’ll see you later on. Remember that I love you. J.

Jagger bound up the stairs and rapped on the front door of Leah’s house. A heavy built man in a flannel shirt, jeans, and shit-kicker boots opened the door. This had to be the “With Ted They’re Dead” guy. Seeing him, Jagger could believe his slogan.

“G’day. I’m looking for Leah.”

“Are ye now? And who the hell are you?”

“No worries, mate. I’m just a friend. Jagger Jones.”

“First off, I’m not your mate. Second, it’s mighty early to be making social calls.”

Leah poked her head around a plaid bicep. “Jagger? What are you doing here?” She shoved at the lumberjack. “Quit it. Jagger, come on in. Move over, Ted, and let the man by.”

Ted turned like a two hundred pound flannel door but puffed out his chest as Jagger moved to pass him. “It’s still too damn early for company,” he grumbled.

“Don’t mind him, Jagger, he’s cranky before he’s had his coffee.”

“Sorry, to barge in on you like this, but I wanted to catch you before you left for school.”

“That’s where I know you!” Ted barked. “You’re the naked guy.”

“Guilty.” Jagger put up his hand to surrender. “I’m the naked guy.”

“So what are you doing in
my
house?”

“Ted!” Leah glared at him.

Jagger smiled at her. “The man’s just making sure I’m not after what’s his.”

“Damn right.” Ted growled.

“God, the testosterone is running down the walls. Ted, quit being a Neanderthal and go have your coffee. Jagger’s with Zee, you idiot.”

“That’s why I’m here. I wanted to talk to you about Zee.”

“You care about her, don’t you?”

“You bet your Bugs Bunny tattoo, I do.”

Jagger never heard Ted until he was smashed against the side of the refrigerator. “How the hell do you know about her tattoo?” He had the front of Jagger’s shirt clenched in a fist.

“Whoa, mate! Easy! I saw a picture. Her and Zee at the beach!”

Leah cried out and pulled against Ted. “Good God, Ted! Have you lost your mind?”

Ted released him as fast has he’d grabbed him. Jagger held up his hands. “Hey, I’m only here ’cause I’m trying to hang on to Zee. But if you need to beat the hell out of me, go ahead.”

Leah put herself between Jagger and Ted. She punched Ted’s arm. “No one’s beating anyone, you big ape. What’s wrong with you?” She turned back to Jagger. “I’m so sorry, Jagger. He’s kinda possessive about my ink. Bunny’s my nickname for him. Don’t ask me why, when he can be such an ass!” She shrugged. “Rabet… Rabbit…Bunny…Bugz… Get it?”

“I get it. I’ll never mention it again. I swear, I’m only interested in Zee.”

“See!” Leah shoved at Ted. “I told you.” Ted grumbled. Turning back to Jagger, Leah said, “You really do love her, don’t you?.”

“Yes, I do. A lot.” Jagger eyed Ted warily.

“You know, it’s going to break her heart when you leave.”

“I’m trying to work on that. That’s why I’m here. I need your help.”

Leah glared back at Ted. “I’ll do whatever you want, Jagger. What do you need?”

****

“Michaela, I’m not arguing with you about this. I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Oh, so that’s it? Three years ago you made up your mind, too. You left everything to go on this crazy trek with Da. You split our family apart, and now you’re pushing all that aside for a woman you just met?”

“I love her.” If he was sure of just one thing, that would be it.

“You’ve loved them all.”

“Mick, this is different. Zee’s different. I explained it all in my email. I was hoping you’d be happy. You and Mum.”

“I don’t even know how to tell Mum.”

“Tell her she got her wish. Tell her I found someone to strap me down.”

“And then what? Tell her you’ve abandoned your promise to Da? Tell her the last three years were for what? When should I tell her you’ll be home?”

“She doesn’t want me home.”

“Of course she does. And so do I.” Mick paused. “I’d like my baby to meet his fool godfather before he graduates university.”

“What? What baby?”

“You’re going to be an uncle. I wasn’t going to tell you yet. I wanted to be further along, but Glen and I want you to be the baby’s godfather. I hoped you’d be ready to come back. I need my brother, and I want my baby to know his uncle.”

“Ducky…”

“Jagger, don’t you see how ridiculous this has all become? Just come home. Please? I miss you so much.”

Ellie came into the study after Jagger had hung up with Michaela. “You wanted to know when Roger Hickey got here. He’s in the back garden. It’s time to start splitting the perennials. He should be here a while.”

“Thanks, Ellie.” He stood looking out over the grounds.

Ellie placed a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay? Everything all right? I worry like an old mother hen.”

“You’re nothin’ but a spring chick, and you know it. Everything’s great.” He gave her arm a squeeze. “I’m gonna to be an uncle.”

“How wonderful. Babies bring such blessings. Makes everyone think about the future.”

“You’re right about that.”

After talking to Roger Hickey for over an hour, Jagger went back to his cabin. He unrolled the sheet of sketch paper he’d taken from Zee, and ran a hand through his hair. Zee really did know him. It was all here in the drawing. Everything he felt, what drove him, his passion. She knew everything about him.

He knew her, too. All the little things. Like how the backs of her knees were ticklish. How she hated heights and ducks, and had an unnatural fear of puddles. He knew she talked in her sleep and the way her body trembled in his arms after they made love. He knew the way she whimpered when he touched that sensitive spot between her thighs and how she tasted against his tongue.

He also knew she’d never ask him to stay even though it would devastate her if he left. And he knew, no matter what, he wasn’t about to go on without her. But the things Mick said tore at him. Now there was a baby coming.

He opened the suitcase and pulled out the inlaid box. “If there was ever a time to talk to me, Da, it would be now. I’ve certainly made a mess out of this whole thing.” He shook his head. “I’m as stubborn and mule headed as Mum, and I went off half-cocked. But I did it for you, and dammit, I’d do it all over again.
A man is only as good as his word.
You always said that, and
A promise is a promise.
You said that too. And I’m bound to keeping my promise to you.”

Jagger lifted the sketch. “But, I’m crazy in love with her. And she loves me too. She won’t say it, but I know she does. She thinks I’m just going to walk away. I can’t do it, Da. I can’t leave the best thing I’ve ever had.” He laid his hand on the box.

“You always told me to follow my heart. Well I did, and it led me here. To her. I need her. She’s where I want to be. She’s where I want to grow old. She’s my home now. God, I’m sounding as sappy as you.

“I never expected to feel like this, and I don’t know what else to do. I’ll still keep my promise to you, I swear, but I need to make a promise to her too. You were always a patient bloke. You don’t mind waiting a might, do ya, Da?”

****

“Are you sure this is the right stuff?” Jagger wrestled two five-gallon buckets into the back of his van outside the parts store. “It isn’t exactly what you sell here.”

“Sure, I’m sure.” Steve loaded several long-handled rollers. “I found it online and had it shipped overnight from my supplier in Chicago. Follow the directions, and don’t forget to start at the back and work your way to the door.”

“I think I can handle it.” He passed Steve a fist full of bills.

Stacy stood at her uncle’s shoulder holding two large bags. “Here’s the rest, Jagger.” She gave him the biggest, whitest, straightest smile he’d ever seen.

“Thanks, Stace.” Jagger slipped her some extra money. “Give those boys in London hell. They won’t know what hit ’em.” He winked at her and earned another brilliant smile.

“Don’t give her any ideas.” Steve punched Jagger’s shoulder. “Hey, if you need a hand this weekend, you know where you can find me.” He closed the door to the van. “Good luck, man.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Hey there, girlfriend.” Leah was all bubbly and smiles when she met Zee for lunch that afternoon.

Zee rummaged through the mixed bag of jumbled emotions she was lugging around and pasted on a smile of her own. “Hey.”

“I miss you.”

“You see me three times a week.”

“I know, but we haven’t had any girl time in almost a month. You’re living in the studio these days.”

“I’ve been crazy busy.”

“Too busy to think about what you’re going to wear to the opening next week?”

Zee groaned.

“Just as I thought.” Leah put her arm around Zee’s shoulders. “I’ve a brilliant idea.”

Leah’s energy was contagious. “Should I be scared?”

“No. It will be great. Let’s escape for the weekend. Just you and me. We could drive over to the coast. There are all those adorable boutiques. We’ll find you something fabulous, go out and have a nice dinner. They have that new spa over there. We could get facials, pedis, ooh…” Her eyes got wide. “
Seaweed wraps!
We’ll drink margaritas. Ted owes me, and I know the perfect place we could stay.”

“A whole weekend?”

“Yes. You can stop stressing about the show. We’ll leave Friday right after class, and be back on Sunday. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

“I don’t know, Leah. I have work I need to finish. And…” She wanted to say she didn’t want to leave Jagger. “What about Isabella?”

“It’s just for two nights. Leave her enough food and water, she’ll be fine. Or have Jagger stop by your place and look in on her. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He’s crazy for you. He’d do anything you ask him.”

“You make him sound whipped.”

“No, he’s definitely not that. He’s just in love with you.”

“I’m in love with him too.”

“Well, you know what they say: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Come with me for the weekend. He’ll be even more in love with you when you get back.”

“I guess a couple of days wouldn’t kill me. And we’d be home Sunday afternoon?”

“Absolutely. I promise.” Leah crossed her heart with a purple-polished fingertip.

“I’ll think about it,” Zee shrugged.

“Don’t think about it, just come.”

Later, Zee told Jagger about Leah’s plan. “I could give her some excuse if you’d rather I didn’t go.”

“I think you should go.”

“But I don’t want to waste a minute with you, let alone two whole days.”

He kissed her. “Leah misses you. You should go. Relax and have some fun.”

“I’d have more fun here with you.”

Jagger ran a finger down her cheek. “I’ll be here when you get back. I’ll even take care of Isabella while you’re gone.”

“Would you?”

“Of course.” He played with her hair. “You should go.”

“I do need something to wear next week that doesn’t have paint all over it.”

“Something short and tight?”

Zee smiled. “You’d like that wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, I would.” His hand ran over her behind.

“And you promise you’ll be here when I get home?”

“Will I get a private fashion show?”

“Like the panty parade?”

He raised an eyebrow. “New panties? I’ll definitely be here.”

“How do you feel about garter belts?”

He groaned. “God, woman, you do know just what to say to me.”

****

“Is this heaven or what?” Leah sighed. “Ted felt so guilty about our
romantic
fishing trip, this is all his treat.”